In addition, the Shela writes, “It is proper for everyone to be a student of Avraham Avinu and treat all those who eat at his table in the above manner... It is best to share one’s bread with someone who has some knowledge of Torah and can make some brachot and say the Birkat Hamazon. His mitzvah of tzedakah will then be pleasing [to G-d]... I praise the holy communities in these countries who support Torah scholars by inviting them to eat at their tables both during the week and on Shabbat. (This practice was called essen teg, and it involved Yeshivah students eating at the homes of the local Jewish community.) Throughout the year, the Torah students never depart from their table. In this manner, one can support a poor Torah scholar and also fulfill the obligation to speak Torah at the table. Presumably a young, poor yeshiva student will be able to speak Torah with him at the table while they are eating since the bochur studies halacha (Torah) every day.
